The three senior golfers on the Cougar’s varsity golf team completed their season successfully.

The team took down their rivals, the Fauquier Falcons, in the annual Fauquier Cup, where the three public high schools compete for the title of best golf team in the county.

Head coach Dale Edwards has been working with the golf team since the school opened.

“We were successful because we have players who played all four years on the team, golfers who played in tournaments in the off season and they have instructors,” Edwards said. “Our golfers work year around on their game even if they play other sports. A lot of players either belong to Fauquier Springs Country Club or work at a golf course. This gives them availability to play and practice.”

“Our top six brought their A game,” varsity golfer Harper Crater said. “They came to win.”

Also on the varsity golf team, senior Payton Fiel added, “The seniors practiced all year getting ready for this season. They really wanted to do their best.”

Seeds two, three and four were held by seniors Hunter Anderson, Jacob Rader, and Jack Mills. Rader shot the lowest score of his career this season, a 73.

“I was really happy about my performance since it was my career best,” Rader said. Rader competed all season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, still finishing with his best season at Kettle Run.

Junior Reese Massei occupied the number one spot.

“Our team had the best chemistry in the state,” Massei said.

Fifth seed was held by junior Trevor Berg.

“[I always did my best] to shoot a low score, to help out a possible teammate and cheering them up if they have a bad day,” Berg said.

The sixth seed was held by Gabby Finan. Finan is the first female to make the starting lineup as a freshman and also the first female in Fauquier County history to qualify for states, shooting a 74 at the regional qualifier to secure her spot.

“I’m pretty happy because I’ve wanted to be a starter since the third grade,” Finan said. “Making states was crazy, I’m really happy.”

The players were happy with their performance this season.

“I think we did really well, considering this was the first time we had any chance at making it to states,” Finan said. “We got pretty close.”

“We did great,” Crater said. “The guys played hard and they worked hard to get to where they are in their golf games and we’re all really proud of them for that.”

The seniors have been playing together since their freshman year and are going to miss playing together.

“I’ll miss golfing with Hunter, Reese, and Jack,” Rader said. “We would joke around and rip golf balls.”

When traveling for matches the team rode together in the county van.

“I’ll miss the team car rides and Jacob playing music,” Anderson said.

“I’ll miss playing with the boys,” Mills said.

The golf team had one of the best seasons in recent history and came back from last season’s loss to Fauquier by winning the Fauquier Cup and beating the Falcons in both the Fauquier Cup and the conference championship. With a strong group of seniors competing for the team, the Cougars will have to rebuild next season in order to be successful without their 2019s.